The academic study of clinical linguistics is concerned with how language is affected by a range of acquired and developmental communication disorders, and the role of language in the subsequent assessment and management of these conditions. There is a focus on how language can break down or be changed by these conditions, and an examination of good quality evidence that evaluates interventions designed to ameliorate well-being and skills of affected individuals. There is a focus on how specialists assess, diagnose and differentiate between communication disorders. There is a focus on the role of Speech and Language Therapists working with patients throughout the lifespan, and also how educational psychologists work with children to improve educational outcomes for those with communication disorders.
You will develop an advanced understanding of techniques and processes applicable to your own research or advanced scholarship. You will also complete a dissertation on a topic related to a subject which is of interest to you. You will be taught by our team of Language & Linguistics experts and become part of our expanding Languages & Linguistics community.
The academic study of clinical linguistics is concerned with how language is affected by a range of acquired and developmental communication disorders, and the role of language in the subsequent assessment and management of these conditions. There is a focus on how language can break down or be changed by these conditions, and an examination of good quality evidence that evaluates interventions designed to ameliorate well-being and skills of affected individuals. The programme focuses on how specialists assess, diagnose and differentiate between communication disorders. There is a focus on the role of Speech and Language Therapists working with patients throughout the lifespan, and also that of educational psychologists work with children to improve educational outcomes for those with communication disorders.
The MSc Clinical Linguistics also provides the research training and subject knowledge to enable you to continue your studies to doctoral level (at YSJ and in other institutions).
The programme would be attractive for those who have previously studied Linguistics at undergraduate level who wish to continue to develop their studies in the field of Clinical Linguistics.
The programme is designed to be studied either full-time over 12 months or part-time over a maximum of five years. If you are unable to complete the full Master’s degree or are interested in certain modules, you may work for the intermediate awards of Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Linguistics or Diploma in Clinical Linguistics.
The full Master’s programme comprises taught modules and a dissertation.
Research in Language & Linguistics (30 credits/Compulsory)
This module introduces you to a range of research methods commonly used in the study of language and linguistics at postgraduate level and beyond. It is designed to enable you to develop an in-depth knowledge of research techniques relevant to your discipline and to develop your critical abilities in analysing, evaluating and synthesising research findings on a range of topics within language and linguistics. You will be taught how to develop research questions in the execution of a small-scale research project and how to evaluate current issues and research in language and linguistics.
Acquired Communication Disorders (30 credits/Compulsory)
This module provides a detailed examination of acquired communication disorders occurring throughout the lifespan and their impact on speech, language and literacy. You will be equipped to critically evaluate theoretical standpoints and clinical evidence and how it can be applied in practice when working with individuals with a range of acquired communication disorders. You will analyse cases and present their observations to their seminar group for discussion and formative assessment.
Developmental Communication Disorders (30 credits/Compulsory)
This module provides a detailed examination of developmental communication disorders and their impact on speech, language and literacy throughout the lifespan. You will be equipped to critically evaluate theoretical standpoints and clinical evidence and how it can be applied in practice when working with children and adults with these communication disorders You will also gain experience of collecting data from children or adults to inform a piece of project work for the module assessment. You will analyse cases and present their observations to their seminar group for discussion and formative assessment.
Assessment, Diagnosis & Management of Communication Disorder (30 credits/Compulsory)
This module looks at how clinicians work with patients presenting with communication disorders. You will focus on the process that clinicians go through when working with patients, and will work with a range of assessment tools that are used in educational and clinical practice when assessing children and adults presenting with communication disorders. You will examine clinical data, and explore how diagnoses are reached, and what kinds of interventions clinicians may advise. You will also consider current debates in relation to communication disorders such as looking at terminology, the basis of diagnosis, evaluating interventions, when and whether to continue intervention and inclusion.
Dissertation (60 credits/Compulsory)
Your final module will be a dissertation on a topic that you will agree with your supervisor. It is an opportunity for you to explore in depth an area of interest or particular area of Language and Linguistics. You will gain experience in formulating ideas and hypotheses, devising sound research methodology, collecting and evaluating data, and presenting your findings in a dissertation of 10,000 -12,000 words.
Further information on this course is available in the programme specification. Please note that the programme specification relates to course content that is currently being studied by students at the University. For new programmes, the programme specification will be made available online prior to the start of the course.
York St John University works hard to create an inclusive environment for all our students. We offer a range of learning support services to assist students throughout their studies.
Ranked among the top 20 graduate programs of its kind nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, our renowned Master of Science program in Communication Disorders will provide you with the career-ready skills and hands-on experience you need to make an immediate impact on the lives of people living with communication and speech disorders.
In this program, you will have access to:
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a graduate degree program that provides students with career-ready skills and the hands-on experience needed to make an immediate impact on people’s lives.
The Master of Science in Communication Disorders program is designed for students interested in pursuing certification and licensure in the field of speech-language pathology. You will receive classroom and hands-on preparation in applying family-focused, developmental, cognitive, psychosocial, behavioral, and medical models to the assessment and treatment of a broad range of communication disorders and differences.
Graduates of the program are sought after to work with a wide range of populations in a variety of clinical settings throughout the US and internationally.
The MS in Communication Disorders program is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top graduate programs of its kind nationwide. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Your program of study at Emerson will satisfy the academic and clinical requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology of ASHA.
In 2015, Emerson College’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorderscelebrated its 80th anniversary. As a pioneer in the dynamic and increasingly important field of speech-language pathology, the department has earned a reputation for excellence in clinical preparation.
Exceptional Clinical Opportunities
Through your clinical placements, you will learn about the range of communication disorders that affect speech, language, cognition, and swallowing across the lifespan. You will have opportunities to work in multiple clinical settings, such as early intervention programs, public and private schools, private practices, acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, and others. Through your clinical placements you will learn professional collaboration, counseling skills, and how to best evaluate and treat a wide range of individuals, including a multicultural urban population. As an Emerson student, you will acquire the clinical knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a speech-language pathologist.
Learn more about clinical training and supervision »
This multidisciplinary programme is aimed at professionals already working in child or adult services in health, education or social care in the UK and overseas who have an interest in developing research expertise and who have a motivation to carry out research in their workplace or a linked setting.
Students will gain knowledge and skills in applied research related to the client groups with whom they work. Key topic areas include qualitative and quantitative methods related to communication disorders research, and planning, implementing and managing research. Students undertaking the MRes will conduct a supervised research project in their area of professional interest.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
Both the MRes and the PG Cert include three compulsory (core) modules (45 credits) and one optional module (15 credits). The MRes also includes a research project (120 credits).
On the Postgraduate Certificate students take four modules (60 credits). This can be full-time over 15 weeks or flexible study over a period of up to two years.
Core modules
Optional module
Dissertation/report
MRes students undertake a research project in the area of human communication disorders, which culminates in a dissertation of 8,000-10,000 words, a research impact plan and poster presentation.
Teaching and learning
The programme takes a strong experiential learning approach through the demonstration, exploration and application of new skills. The programme also utilises significant online learning resources which allow learning outside normal classroom hours. These are combined with lectures, and small-group working. Assessment is through written reports, presentations, and the research dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Applied Research in Human Communication Disorders MRes
Now, more than ever before, continuing professional development (CPD) is linked to career progression. Gaining a PG Cert or an MRes in Applied Research in Human Communication Disorders will undoubtedly enhance your career opportunities within child and adult support services, and could act as a springboard to further research including study at doctoral level. In the long term, skills gained on this programme will place you in an exceptionally strong position to engage with research including contributing directly to research evidence.
Employability
Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) is of major importance for professionals working with vulnerable populations, and this programme is likely to enhance employability. For example, on completion you will be able to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and a range of skills that relate directly to your professional career, including how to source appropriate literature, evaluate research conducted by others, select and conduct appropriate research designs, analyse data, and write a research report.
The Division of Psychology & Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching. Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create a vibrant and interactive environment, taking advantage of first-class resources.
Academic staff in the division have a wide range of expertise in research methods and the management of people with communication disorders. Areas of expertise inlude:
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Division of Psychology & Language Sciences
83% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
This course is for speech and language therapists/pathologists, linguists, psychologists or others with a relevant background who have an interest in acquired communication disorders such as aphasia, dysarthria and the communication difficulties secondary to dementia or traumatic brain injury.
The MSc will provide you with an up-to-date understanding of the main theoretical and clinical issues and approaches in this field and the implications of these findings for clinical intervention.
Your masters will give you the skills and knowledge to make a difference. Our MMedSci course provides the necessary training to meet the requirements of the UK Health and Care Professions Council which is the accreditation body for UK speech and language therapy. Our other courses provide professional development training. They can also lead to careers in university teaching and research.
We have a reputation for high quality research in the field of human communication and its disorders. That research informs our teaching. We offer professional training for students who are considering speech and language therapy as a career. If you’re interested in a research career, we can prepare you for a PhD.
We also run professional development courses for students already working in the field, so you can study alongside your current job. We have links with the NHS, special schools and specialist charities to ensure that what we teach you is in line with current developments in the field.
We work with other departments across the University including the School of Education, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Computer Science and the School of English Language and Linguistics.
PGCert
PGDip
MSc
Students on the PGDip and MSc also take optional modules, from a range offered both within the department and across other departments in the University.
This MSc is an accredited professional programme leading to qualification as a speech and language therapist (SLT). The programme integrates theory with work-based clinical placements with adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties. The programme has an excellent reputation, and over 90% of graduates are working in SLT-related posts within six months of qualifying.
You will learn to apply knowledge from a range of academic subjects to speech and language therapy (SLT) practice. Innovative and authentic learning methods help you develop skills such as team-working, assessment and therapy, self-evaluation. The curriculum promotes strong research skills, enabling you to evaluate and add to the evidence-base for the SLT profession. The programme prepares you well for future leadership roles.
Students undertake modules to the value of 360 credits.
The programme comprises 12 core modules. Students register for six modules in year one (totalling 165 credits) and six modules in year two (195 credits, including a 60-credit research project).
Year one core modules
Year two core modules
There are no optional modules on this programme.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 8,000 words. Students also present their project orally to a group of peers.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, workshops, supervised clinical placements, practical classes and self-directed learning. Collaborative peer-working features strongly throughout. A variety of assessment methods are used, including coursework, presentations, clinical vivas, written examinations and practice-based assessment on placement.
Placement
Students attend both weekly and block placements, from the start of the programme working alongside qualified SLTs in a wide range of settings including hospitals, community, schools and charities. Placements are organised such that each student gains a breadth of experience. Students undertake over 700 hours of supervised clinical practice over the two-year course, well above RCSLT recommendations.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Speech and Language Sciences MSc
The UK/EU fee for this programme is currently under review pending an announcement from the UK Government.
More information on studying allied health professions in England is on the official Council of Deans of Health website.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Most graduates from this programme work as speech and language therapists, providing specialist assessment, intervention and support to adults and children with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, for example people with autism spectrum disorder, developmental language or learning difficulties, neurological conditions, dementia. They work in the NHS, in hospitals, specialist centres, in the community and in education settings, in mainstream or special schools and children's centres. Our graduates are well placed to take up further research and to fast-track into highly specialist speech and language therapist roles.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
The programme is highly regarded by employers, with over 90% of graduates employed in speech and language therapy roles within six months of qualifying. Workplace learning in numerous clinical placements enables you to apply your knowledge from a range of disciplines to assessing and managing communication difficulties in real-life speech and language therapy contexts. This MSc also develops a range of transferable skills relevant to employability, such as: interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written presentation skills, collaboration and teamworking, critical evaluation, integration and synthesis of information, report writing, research skills.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
You will benefit directly from UCL's world-leading research and teaching, supported by facilities such as the on-site national SLT library and our in-house clinic.
You will be taught by experts in the field including specialist speech and language therapists, psychologists, linguists, neurologists. Our strong partnership with SLT services across London ensures that you will attend a range of high-quality clinical placements.
This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). UCL will pay for your student membership of RCSLT. This qualification allows you to practise as an SLT in the UK.
This course is designed for qualified speech and language therapists. It will help you extend your clinical knowledge and expertise, and develop new research skills in preparation for specialist clinical positions or further research.
This MSc is also suitable for graduates from related disciplines, such as psychology or linguistics, who are aiming to pursue research careers in the field of communication disorders.
This course is not suitable for candidates wishing to enter the speech and language therapy profession. If you wish to qualify as an SLT, please apply to our Speech & Language Therapy Programme.
The Speech, Language & Communication (Advanced Practice) MSc will help you:
As an MSc student, you will have access to specialist labs, providing:
The School of Health hosts a speech and language therapy clinic (The Roberta Williams Centre) which provides project opportunities for MSc students.
You will learn in a dynamic and supportive atmosphere, which encourages participation and the exchange of ideas. The knowledge and skills that you will develop can be applied across different language and cultural contexts, making the programme highly suitable for home, EU or overseas students.
Modules are taught by high-profile academic clinicians, internationally renowned research leaders and senior practitioners. In some modules, there are also contributions from service users.
You will learn through a blend of lectures, seminars, labs, and project work. Group sizes vary, but many elective modules involve small-group teaching. Face-to-face teaching is supplemented by Moodle, our online learning platform, which provides extensive learning resources and interactive opportunities, such as discussion fora.
Many modules entail student-led activities, such as presentations. All encourage active learning and the sharing of ideas and professional experience.
Modules are assessed through a variety of methods that may include:
You will be appraised in your ability to assess, critically interpret and apply the research literature, and in your academic writing and communication skills. Specific skills, such as statistical analysis, will be required by some module assessments.
To gain the MSc or a Postgraduate Diploma you will study two core modules, three discipline-specific modules (or related to communication or swallowing), and two elective modules which may be discipline-specific or generic.
Most modules run in the Autumn and Spring terms. A typical 15-credit module involves between 25 and 30 hours of teaching, supplemented by extensive private study (at least eight hours a week).
In order to gain the MSc you will undertake a research dissertation, in addition to the 7 taught modules. The dissertation involves up to one year of independent data collection and study, supported by a supervisor.
The research dissertation involves up to one year of independent data collection and study, supported by a supervisor.
To gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Speech Language and Communication you will need to complete three or four modules totalling 60 credits. These must include at least two discipline-specific modules in the area of Speech Language and Communication.
Full-time students complete the taught modules in one year, for example taking three or four modules per term. Part-time students complete them over two years.
Core modules
Discipline specific modules
Elective modules
Options include:
Full time students complete the taught modules in one year, for example taking three or four modules per term. Part time students complete them over two years.
This course is for qualified speech and language therapists who are aiming to enhance their careers. The MSc award will qualify you for posts in the UK and abroad which require a Masters degree, such as specialist clinical positions or research posts.
The course is ideal for other graduates seeking a research career in the field of communication disorders.
Past graduates have progressed into senior clinical roles, doctoral study and research positions.
This MSc in Principles of Applied Neuropsychology examines the uses of neuropsychology in the clinical world. Neuropsychology is central to the debate about the spark of individuality each human shows. This course looks at brain functions as an individual and in group settings, as well as studying the neuropsychology of mental health problems.
The course is an employability-centred extension to an undergraduate psychology degree. It is focused on neuropsychology, but is suitable for any student interested in preparing for an eventual career as a professional psychologist.
You’ll learn about the recent theories explaining how the brain allows us to cope in a busy world. You’ll learn about key concepts, such as self and how damage to these processes can give rise to mental health problems. You’ll also study how to be an applied psychologist, focusing on the core skills expected of a practitioner of applied psychology.
Issues in Professional Practice introduces students to the principles of applied psychology and the processes of recovery and rehabilitation. It focuses on the core skills expected of a practitioner of applied psychology: assessment; formulation; intervention; evaluation; communication skills; and self- management skills. The embedded research skills in this module relate to the evaluation of clinical practice.
Social Neuropsychology of Mental Health includes a neuropsychological perspective on mental health problems. It features a series of lectures on psychosis, affective disorders, fear disorders, principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, and basic pharmacology. We also look at the relationship between psychopathology and criminality.
Advanced Neuropsychology provides a clinical approach to degenerative disorders, ageing, communication disorders visual disorders, and childhood developmental disorders.
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation exists to enable people to regain their footing in social and occupational spheres after brain injury. It does this in many ways, such as emotionally, functionally and cognitively. This module offers a broad theoretical perspective of the different methods of rehabilitation available for a range of disorders. We aim to provide not just theory but also guidance as to how you communicate that theory to patients, clients and other professionals.
The Dissertation module is the opportunity to investigate an area of neuropsychology of individual interest. As part of this module you are required to submit a 4,000–6,000 word paper, ready for publication in a specified journal, based on your research. You also have to demonstrate the ability to keep a detailed research log. The research undertaken by students must have a neuropsychological focus.
For more information on course structure and modules, please visit our website: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/courses/pg-principles-of-applied-neuropsychology/
Teaching includes lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, small and large group work, and neuropsychological testing experience. There will be guest speakers from relevant employers as well as research talks from existing practitioners.
We have a variety of assessment that you’ll use during your doctoral training; a systematic literature review, writing a case formulation, a reflective diary as well as traditional essays.
Current alumni pathways include:
• The successful completion of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
• NHS Research Assistant
• PhD studentship
For more information on careers, please refer to the course handbook available on our website: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/courses/pg-principles-of-applied-neuropsychology/
Further entry requirements: International applicants should be aware that full registration with the RCSLT entails completion of a probationary period of clinical practice in the UK after the successful completion of the degree. It may be necessary to confirm with the professional body in your home country that this qualification is recognised and that full registration in the UK will entitle you to practice in your home country.
This course is for people with a relevant degree seeking to refocus their studies into the area of speech and language therapy. It will enable you to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) to practise as a speech and language therapist in the UK.
As a speech and language therapist, you will assess, diagnose and treat children and adults with a wide range of communication difficulties. This will include developmental disorders and speech and language problems resulting from injury, stroke and disease. You will also develop strong practical skills as well as a sound understanding of the theory of speech and language therapy.
There is a major clinical studies (ie placement) element to this course and clinical work is underpinned by modules in linguistics, psychology and biological and medical sciences. Although every effort is made to arrange summer block placements to suit students’ circumstances, this is not always possible and students must be prepared to be flexible about placement location and timing. Students are responsible for any travel and/or accommodation costs incurred during placements.
Teaching will include a mix of lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, clinical placement experience, case study analysis and individual project work. Emphasis will be placed on integrating clinical and university based learning opportunities and on independent study. Your performance will be assessed by a combination of course work including essays, reports, presentations, vivas and examinations, as well as clinical practical assessments.
Each module which you study on campus will require you to attend classes and carry out independent work. Your attendance at placement is compulsory and your attendance at QMU-based modules is expected. Classes will be spread over the whole week, except for placement days when you will be off campus. This is a full-time course, with the expectation that classes, independent study and placement together require 35 - 40 hours of dedicated time each week.
The course provides graduates, including those who complete the PgDip, with eligibility to register with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council to practice in the UK.
Foundations for Speech and Language Therapy/ Linguistics 1: Introduction to Linguistics/ Neurology for SLT and Audiology/ Adult Acquired Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders/ Linguistics 2: Clinical Linguistics/ Disorders of Speech and Fluency/ Manual Handling/ Dysphagia (Developmental and Acquired)/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 1/ Professional Practice for SLT 1/ Biological and behavioural Science for SLT: Typical Processes/ Developmental Disorders of Language and Communication/ Intellectual Disability, Physical and Sensory Impairment/ Linguistics 3: Linguistic Processing and Variation/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 2/ Motor Speech Disorder, Voice Disorder, Cleft Lip and Palate/ Clinical Contexts/ Within-Semester Clinical Placement 3/ Professional Practice 2/ Research Methods
If studying for the MSc, you will also complete a dissertation (60 credits).
Most graduates work within the NHS in community clinics, schools and hospitals. Some graduates have gained research posts and some have gone on to achieve higher degrees. Some graduate Speech and language therapists may wish to seek employment outside the UK. For further information about how and where this qualification can be used outside of the UK please contact the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
This course is for teachers, speech and language therapists, and other professionals working with children with special educational needs. You’ll develop your understanding of speech, language and communication and build on your existing skills.
The course is delivered online, by distance learning, so you can gain a specialist qualification without having to leave your current job.
Your masters will give you the skills and knowledge to make a difference. Our MMedSci course provides the necessary training to meet the requirements of the UK Health and Care Professions Council which is the accreditation body for UK speech and language therapy. Our other courses provide professional development training. They can also lead to careers in university teaching and research.
We have a reputation for high quality research in the field of human communication and its disorders. That research informs our teaching. We offer professional training for students who are considering speech and language therapy as a career. If you’re interested in a research career, we can prepare you for a PhD.
We also run professional development courses for students already working in the field, so you can study alongside your current job. We have links with the NHS, special schools and specialist charities to ensure that what we teach you is in line with current developments in the field.
We work with other departments across the University including the School of Education, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Computer Science and the School of English Language and Linguistics.
For Communication Diversity and Difficulties, you can choose up to two specialist topics for assessment, such as:
MSc students also complete a dissertation.
We provide material online for weekly study across the full calendar year. There are two or three (optional) study weekends per year in Sheffield. Essential reading material is available electronically. Online activities support your study and build links with tutors and other students.
Modules are normally assessed by written assignments. MSc students are also assessed on their research dissertation.
The combined specialisation in Neuroscience and Communication provides a thorough multidisciplinary introduction to modern knowledge and current research in the inter-related aspects of neuroscience, speech processing and language impairments where students have completed related previous study which may not include demonstrable experience in theoretical linguistics.
Students take a core set of modules building a foundation to study current issues and research in neuroscience and communication such as neurobioliogy, speech processing, developmental and acquired language disorders and linguistics. In selecting the modules for their specialisation, students will be able to take full advantage of the breadth of expertise in language research in the UCL Division of Psychology & Language Sciences.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of three core modules (60 credits), two specialisation modules (30 credits), two optional modules (30 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Students select two modules from all those offered within UCL Psychology & Language Sciences, subject to availability and agreement with the Programme Director. Possible options are listed below:
Not all modules will run every year, some modules may require a minimum number of registered students.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project on an aspect of speech, language and cognition which culminates in a research plan of 3,000-6,000 words and a dissertation of 10,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, small-group teaching and a virtual learning environment. Some modules also involve workshops or practical classes. Student performance is assessed through coursework, examinations and the research project.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Language Sciences (with specialisation in Neuroscience and Communication) MSc
The majority of students who graduate from Language Sciences MSc programmes go on to further study or research. Recent graduates have gone on to PhD study in UCL, other UK institutions and overseas institutions. Others have gone to work in related industries (for example in speech technology industries, cochlear implants manufacturers) or in education. The skills that the MSc develops – independent research, presentation skills, statistics – are transferable skills that are very highly sought after outside academia.
Employability
This MSc is full of opportunities for students to improve reading, writing and communication skills generally. These opportunities include writing essays, oral presentations, critical reading of scientific articles, and group discussion. These skills are critical for success in a wide range of jobs. Likewise, the programme will help to improve critical thinking skills through the critical evaluation of scientific research. This skill is applicable to those careers requiring problem-solving. Lastly, the programme provides practical experience in conducting research, which is highly valuable to those interested in pursuing a research career.
The UCL Division of Psychology & Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching in mind, behaviour, and language. Staff and students benefit from cutting-edge resources including extensive laboratories for research in speech and language, perception, and cognition.
Opportunities for students to work with world-renowned researchers exist in all areas of investigation. The division offers a supportive environment including numerous specialist seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.
The Language Sciences MSc provides the opportunity for in-depth study of one or more areas of the language sciences. The programme is an 'umbrella degree', with a number of specialisation strands that follow a common structure.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Division of Psychology & Language Sciences
83% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
For those taking this module as part of pre- or post-registration audiological training or career development, the module is intended to provide fundamental academic and practical preparation for clinical work in the assessment and management of vestibular disorders. This will build on knowledge of the auditory system and auditory disorders to include the development of a contextual understanding of the anatomy and physiology of balance system, vestibular pathologies and their biopsychosocial consequences, the various forms of clinical assessment and various management techniques. Importantly, the module will also enable you to develop your clinical reasoning skills.
For those taking this module as part of a non-audiology healthcare programme, the module is intended to provide a first step on the path to developing and extending your clinical knowledge and skills in the context of balance disorders.
The module will combine traditional lecture-based, problem-based and practical learning techniques.
• Knowledge about the balance system generally and the vestibular system in particular, disorders of the vestibular system, the impact of the disorders on those suffering from them, and techniques used to assess and manage the vestibular system.
• Cognitive skills regarding the identification and critical evaluation of information from a variety of sources including the research literature) in order to make evidencebased, patient-centred decisions and recommendations.
• Pre-clinical practical skills in carrying out audio-vestibular assessments and management techniques using specialist equipment.
• Skills in collaborative working and learning.
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
1. Physical, biological and psychosocial processes.
2. Patient interview and ‘bedside’ patient assessment including postural examination, eye-movement examination and vestibular-specific tests.
3. Videonystagmographic tests (including ocular motor and vestibular tests) and other objective tests.
4. Differential diagnosis (e.g. peripheral vs. central lesions).
5. Functional assessment, rehabilitative techniques and measures of benefit.
The programme provides training in postgraduate level research skills in English language and linguistics. The programme is specifically designed to develop students' knowledge in the various areas of language and linguistics (e.g. syntax, semantics, langauge acquisition, discourse among others), and also to afford students the opportunity to focus the development of their research skills on and within their chosen sub-discipline.
Based within the School of Communication, the programme is distinctive in its breadth, offering modules in core theoretical generative linguistics as well as modules in conversation and discourse analysis with special focus on the study of English. The programme team includes experts in the various areas of linguistic research with PhDs from top universities in the world. The members of the team are all actively involved in research on a variety of topics. Language acquisition and multilingualism are core overlapping research interests of the group as a whole. The team also benefits from links to research groups in other universities in the UK, Australia and the US and has established a series of research seminars which bring in speakers from the UK, Ireland and overseas. The programme team has strong links with speech and language therapy and several of the team members are involved in research with clinical applications regarding language and communication disorders.
The programme will thus be particularly relevant to:
The course is taught during the day and it normally requires attendance to classes over 2 or 3 days a week. The timetable changes every year and the course director can be contacted to gain more information about this.
The programme develops students knowledge in the study of languge and can hence lead to the following career options:
Many of our past graduates have chosen this course as a first stepping stone towards a career in Speech and Langauge Therarpy.
There are also other generic and transferable skills that the student will develop from studying a linguistics degree. They include:
This course is suitable for school-based professionals who provide support for children with speech, language and communication needs.
It is designed for students looking to gain high level knowledge and analytical skills, share their professional experience and perspectives and access current research in their field.
Students will be aiming to raise their profile as a specialist and leader in speech, language and communication needs in the school setting.
The MSc in Speech, Language and Communication Needs in Schools is jointly run by City, University of London and UCL Institute of Education. It brings together speech and language therapists, teachers and other graduate school-based practitioners for collaborative study. The programme is designed to enable students to:
Modules are facilitated by experienced clinicians, teachers and leading researchers, using a variety of direct and interactive methods. Some modules take place in large groups supplemented by small group discussion or laboratory sessions that provide hands-on experience of statistical analyses. Specialist modules take place in small groups combining lecturing with student-led discussion and workshop activities often drawing on participants' professional experiences. Moodle, the virtual learning environment at both institutions, provides an online platform for sharing module information and interactive learning. These methods support and are supported by self-directed study.
Modules are assessed through a diverse range of assignments that may include essays, literature reviews, oral presentations, poster presentations, case studies, and data analyses. Assessments require critical evaluation of the research on key issues; selective application of theory and research to a particular setting, group or individual in the student's experience; understanding of research methods; and skills in statistical analysis.
The taught programme comprises:
Teaching takes place in three 10-week terms: autumn, spring and summer. Students will normally take one module per term part-time or two modules per term full-time.
Each module runs over 3-5 whole days, 10 evenings or 10 half days. In addition, students will be expected to spend approximately half a day a week reading around the taught sessions, preparing for discussion, or completing short exercises.
Students have up to one year to complete the research dissertation.
Core modules
Elective modules
Elective modules are chosen from many available at both institutions and timing depends on module choice. Popular electives include:
At UCL IOE:
At City, University of London:
This MSc qualification raises graduates’ profile as a specialist and leader in speech, language and communication needs in the school setting. It is an advantage for teachers and clinicians seeking higher grade specialist and managerial posts.
Graduates are also eligible to apply for a research degree (MPhil/PhD) and some research posts.
Please note that this MSc does not lead to professional qualification as a speech and language therapist or teacher.
